Patents by Inventor John H. Bull
John H. Bull has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Publication number: 20240120736Abstract: A control system may include a direct-current (DC) power bus for charging (e.g., trickle charging) internal energy storage elements in control devices of the control system. For example, the control devices may be motorized window treatments configured to adjust a position of a covering material to control the amount of daylight entering a space. The system may include a DC power supply that may generate a DC voltage on the DC power bus. For example, the DC power bus may extend from the DC power supply around the perimeter of a floor of the building and may be connected to all of the motorized window treatments on the floor (e.g., in a daisy-chain configuration). Wiring the DC power bus in such a manner may dramatically reduce the installation labor and wiring costs of an installation, as well as decreasing the chance of a miswire.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2023Publication date: April 11, 2024Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Edward J. Blair, John H. Bull, Samuel F. Chambers, Stuart W. DeJonge, Joseph R. Parks
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Patent number: 11909204Abstract: A control system may include a direct-current (DC) power bus for charging (e.g., trickle charging) internal energy storage elements in control devices of the control system. For example, the control devices may be motorized window treatments configured to adjust a position of a covering material to control the amount of daylight entering a space. The system may include a DC power supply that may generate a DC voltage on the DC power bus. For example, the DC power bus may extend from the DC power supply around the perimeter of a floor of the building and may be connected to all of the motorized window treatments on the floor (e.g., in a daisy-chain configuration). Wiring the DC power bus in such a manner may dramatically reduce the installation labor and wiring costs of an installation, as well as decreasing the chance of a miswire.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2020Date of Patent: February 20, 2024Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Edward J. Blair, Joseph R. Parks, John H. Bull, Samuel F. Chambers, Stuart W. DeJonge
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Publication number: 20240026736Abstract: A motorized window treatment may include a roller tube, a flexible material attached to the roller tube, a motor drive unit, and mounting brackets configured to rotatably support respective ends of the roller tube. The roller tube may be operable between an operating position and an extended position. The extended position may include one or more ends of the roller tube being accessible while still attached to the mounting brackets. At least one of the mounting brackets may include a stationary portion, a sliding portion, and/or a translating portion. The translating portion and/or the sliding portion may be configured to translate the roller tube between the operating position and the extended position. The translating portion may define an attachment member and include an attachment aperture. The end of the roller tube may be accessible via the attachment aperture when the roller tube is in the extended position.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2023Publication date: January 25, 2024Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Edward J. Blair, Margaret A. Block, John H. Bull, David A. Kirby, Andrew P. Schmalz, John M. Steinmetz, Travis G. Wiehe, Mailing Ren Wu
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Patent number: 11869344Abstract: A load control system may include multiple control devices that may send load control messages to load control devices for controlling an amount of power provided electrical loads. To prevent collision of the load control messages, the load control messages may be transmitted using different wireless communication channels. Each wireless communication channel may be assigned to a load control group that may include control devices and load control devices capable of communicating with one another on the assigned channel. A control device may send load control messages to a load control device within a transmission frame allocated for transmitting load control messages. The transmission frame may include equal sub-frames and load control messages may be sent at a random time within each sub-frame. Control devices may detect a status event within a sampling interval to offset transmissions from multiple control devices based on detection of the same event.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2020Date of Patent: January 9, 2024Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: John H. Bull, Jordan H. Crafts, James P. Steiner
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Patent number: 11825579Abstract: A load control system may comprise an electrical load control device and/or a computing device. The electrical load control device may control, for example, motorized window treatments (e.g., shades), lighting controls, and/or sensors (e.g., occupancy, radio window, daylight, etc.). For example, a load control device comprising a motorized window treatment may control the position of a covering material in the window treatment. The computing device may comprise a processor and/or a graphical user interface (GUI). The computing device may be a server and/or a user device, such as a wireless user device (e.g., a cellular phone, tablet, or laptop computer). The computing device may be configured to provide graphical representations that may be displayed on a GUI based on load control information.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2023Date of Patent: November 21, 2023Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Rhodes B. Baker, John H. Bull
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Patent number: 11788348Abstract: A motorized window treatment may include a roller tube, a flexible material attached to the roller tube, a motor drive unit, and mounting brackets configured to rotatably support respective ends of the roller tube. The roller tube may be operable between an operating position and an extended position. The extended position may include one or more ends of the roller tube being accessible while still attached to the mounting brackets. At least one of the mounting brackets may include a stationary portion, a sliding portion, and/or a translating portion. The translating portion and/or the sliding portion may be configured to translate the roller tube between the operating position and the extended position. The translating portion may define an attachment member and include an attachment aperture. The end of the roller tube may be accessible via the attachment aperture when the roller tube is in the extended position.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2021Date of Patent: October 17, 2023Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Edward J. Blair, Margaret A. Block, John H. Bull, David A. Kirby, Andrew P. Schmalz, John M. Steinmetz, Travis G. Wiehe, Mailing Ren Wu
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Publication number: 20230284363Abstract: A load control system may include control devices capable of being associated with each other at one or more locations for performing load control. Control devices may include control-source devices and/or control-target devices. A location beacon may be discovered and a unique identifier in the location beacon may be associated with a unique identifier of one or more control devices. Upon subsequent discovery of the location beacon, the associated load control devices may be controlled. The beacons may be communicated via radio frequency signals, visible light communication, and/or audio signals. The visible light communication may be used to communicate other types of information to devices in the load control system. The visible light communication may be used to identify link addresses for communicating with load control devices, load control instructions, load control configuration instructions, network communication information, and/or the like.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 11, 2023Publication date: September 7, 2023Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Rhodes B. Baker, Kyle Thomas Barco, Bryan Robert Barnes, John H. Bull, Richard S. Camden, Jordan H. Crafts, David J. Dolan, Jason Groller, Sanjeev Kumar, Jonathan T. Lenz, Miguel Aguado Pelaez, Daniel L. Twaddell
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Publication number: 20230225030Abstract: A load control system may comprise an electrical load control device and/or a computing device. The electrical load control device may control, for example, motorized window treatments (e.g., shades), lighting controls, and/or sensors (e.g., occupancy, radio window, daylight, etc.). For example, a load control device comprising a motorized window treatment may control the position of a covering material in the window treatment. The computing device may comprise a processor and/or a graphical user interface (GUI). The computing device may be a server and/or a user device, such as a wireless user device (e.g., a cellular phone, tablet, or laptop computer). The computing device may be configured to provide graphical representations that may be displayed on a GUI based on load control information.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 20, 2023Publication date: July 13, 2023Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Rhodes B. Baker, John H. Bull
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Patent number: 11690157Abstract: A load control system may include control devices capable of being associated with each other at one or more locations for performing load control. Control devices may include control-source devices and/or control-target devices. A location beacon may be discovered and a unique identifier in the location beacon may be associated with a unique identifier of one or more control devices. Upon subsequent discovery of the location beacon, the associated load control devices may be controlled. The beacons may be communicated via radio frequency signals, visible light communication, and/or audio signals. The visible light communication may be used to communicate other types of information to devices in the load control system. The visible light communication may be used to identify link addresses for communicating with load control devices, load control instructions, load control configuration instructions, network communication information, and/or the like.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2021Date of Patent: June 27, 2023Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Rhodes B. Baker, Kyle Thomas Barco, Bryan Robert Barnes, John H. Bull, Richard S. Camden, Jordan H. Crafts, David J. Dolan, Jason Groller, Sanjeev Kumar, Jonathan T. Lenz, Miguel Aguado Pelaez, Daniel L. Twaddell
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Patent number: 11638342Abstract: A load control system may comprise an electrical load control device and/or a computing device. The electrical load control device may control, for example, motorized window treatments (e.g., shades), lighting controls, and/or sensors (e.g., occupancy, radio window, daylight, etc.). For example, a load control device comprising a motorized window treatment may control the position of a covering material in the window treatment. The computing device may comprise a processor and/or a graphical user interface (GUI). The computing device may be a server and/or a user device, such as a wireless user device (e.g., a cellular phone, tablet, or laptop computer). The computing device may be configured to provide graphical representations that may be displayed on a GUI based on load control information.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2021Date of Patent: April 25, 2023Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Rhodes B. Baker, John H. Bull
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Publication number: 20220376951Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for using one or more gateway systems for integrating multiple load control systems running multiple versions of software such that the load control systems may appear to a user and be controlled by the user as a unified load control system. Gateways that manage or have managed the same resource may be organized into a Gateway Group. Gateway Groups names may be used for prefix attachment to facilitate routing. For example, a Composite Gateway may receive a request associated with a resource from a user. The Composite Gateway may determine which Gateway actively manages that resource and/or is the Gateway is a member of a Gateway Group. The composite Gateway may then apply one or more policies to facilitate the request. For example, if the Composite Gateway receives an information request, it may apply an authorization policy, a routing policy, and/or an aggregation policy.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 7, 2022Publication date: November 24, 2022Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: John H. Bull, Ram K. Prasad
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Publication number: 20220329675Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the power delivered from an AC power source to an electrical load may include a controllably conductive device. The apparatus may also include a first wireless communication circuit that may be operable to communicate on a first wireless communication network via a first protocol and the first communication circuit may be in communication with the controller. The apparatus may also include a second communication circuit that may be operable to communicate on a second communication network via a second protocol. The controller may be further operable to control the first wireless communication circuit to communicate configuration data with the first wireless communication network via the first protocol. The controller may also be operable to control the second wireless communication circuit to communicate operational data with the second communication network via the second protocol.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 27, 2022Publication date: October 13, 2022Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Robert C. Newman, JR., Lawrence R. Carmen, JR., John H. Bull
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Patent number: 11470187Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the power delivered from an AC power source to an electrical load may include a controllably conductive device. The apparatus may also include a first wireless communication circuit that may be operable to communicate on a first wireless communication network via a first protocol and the first communication circuit may be in communication with the controller. The apparatus may also include a second communication circuit that may be operable to communicate on a second communication network via a second protocol. The controller may be further operable to control the first wireless communication circuit to communicate configuration data with the first wireless communication network via the first protocol. The controller may also be operable to control the second wireless communication circuit to communicate operational data with the second communication network via the second protocol.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2018Date of Patent: October 11, 2022Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Robert C. Newman, Jr., Lawrence R. Carmen, Jr., John H. Bull
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Publication number: 20220286533Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the power delivered from an AC power source to an electrical load may include a controllably conductive device. The apparatus may also include a first wireless communication circuit that may be operable to communicate on a first wireless communication network via a first protocol and the first communication circuit may be in communication with the controller. The apparatus may also include a second communication circuit that may be operable to communicate on a second communication network via a second protocol. The controller may be further operable to control the first wireless communication circuit to communicate configuration data with the first wireless communication network via the first protocol. The controller may also be operable to control the second wireless communication circuit to communicate operational data with the second communication network via the second protocol.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 5, 2018Publication date: September 8, 2022Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Robert C. Newman, JR., Lawrence R. Carmen, JR., John H. Bull
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Publication number: 20220229480Abstract: A load control device for controlling the power delivered from an AC power source to an electrical load is able to receive radio-frequency (RF) signals from a Wi-Fi-enabled device, such as a smart phone, via a wireless local area network. The load control device comprises a controllably conductive device, a controller for rendering the controllably conductive device conductive and non-conductive, and a Wi-Fi module operable to receive the RF signals directly from the wireless network. The controller may cooperate with one or more other devices to synchronize in time the adjustments made by one or more load control devices that are operable to control the power delivered to one or more electrical loads. The one or more load control devices may also cooperate with one or more Internet based information providers to provide preconfigured and condition based adjustments of the one or more electrical loads.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 8, 2022Publication date: July 21, 2022Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventor: John H. Bull
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Patent number: 11368337Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for using one or more gateway systems for integrating multiple load control systems running multiple versions of software such that the load control systems may appear to a user and be controlled by the user as a unified load control system. Gateways that manage or have managed the same resource may be organized into a Gateway Group. Gateway Groups names may be used for prefix attachment to facilitate routing. For example, a Composite Gateway may receive a request associated with a resource from a user. The Composite Gateway may determine which Gateway actively manages that resource and/or is the Gateway is a member of a Gateway Group. The composite Gateway may then apply one or more policies to facilitate the request. For example, if the Composite Gateway receives an information request, it may apply an authorization policy, a routing policy, and/or an aggregation policy.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2020Date of Patent: June 21, 2022Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: John H. Bull, Ram K. Prasad
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Publication number: 20210400793Abstract: A load control system may include control devices capable of being associated with each other at one or more locations for performing load control. Control devices may include control-source devices and/or control-target devices. A location beacon may be discovered and a unique identifier in the location beacon may be associated with a unique identifier of one or more control devices. Upon subsequent discovery of the location beacon, the associated load control devices may be controlled. The beacons may be communicated via radio frequency signals, visible light communication, and/or audio signals. The visible light communication may be used to communicate other types of information to devices in the load control system. The visible light communication may be used to identify link addresses for communicating with load control devices, load control instructions, load control configuration instructions, network communication information, and/or the like.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 19, 2021Publication date: December 23, 2021Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Rhodes B. Baker, Kyle Thomas Barco, Bryan Robert Barnes, John H. Bull, Richard S. Camden, Jordan H. Crafts, David J. Dolan, Jason Groller, Sanjeev Kumar, Jonathan T. Lenz, Miguel Aguado Pelaez, Daniel L. Twaddell
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Publication number: 20210363822Abstract: A motorized window treatment may include a roller tube, a flexible material attached to the roller tube, a motor drive unit, and mounting brackets configured to rotatably support respective ends of the roller tube. The roller tube may be operable between an operating position and an extended position. The extended position may include one or more ends of the roller tube being accessible while still attached to the mounting brackets. At least one of the mounting brackets may include a stationary portion, a sliding portion, and/or a translating portion. The translating portion and/or the sliding portion may be configured to translate the roller tube between the operating position and the extended position. The translating portion may define an attachment member and include an attachment aperture. The end of the roller tube may be accessible via the attachment aperture when the roller tube is in the extended position.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 22, 2021Publication date: November 25, 2021Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Edward J. Blair, Margaret A. Block, John H. Bull, David A. Kirby, Andrew P. Schmalz, John M. Steinmetz, Travis G. Wiehe, Mailing Ren Wu
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Patent number: D969857Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2021Date of Patent: November 15, 2022Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Karelys Alfonzo, Rhodes B. Baker, John H. Bull, Erica L. Clymer, Sanjeev Kumar, Aaron Peters, Rahul Subramany, Shannon M. Sullivan
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Patent number: D986917Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2020Date of Patent: May 23, 2023Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Rhodes B. Baker, John H. Bull, Erica L. Clymer, Sanjeev Kumar, Jennifer Wong